Sherlock and Jude and me.

I have just come home from Sherlock, loved it, LOVED IT AND LOVED JUDE LAW. Yes  really enjoyed this movie, and Holmes fan that I am, it didn't bother me at all, I like the direction that Guy Richie took, Robert Downey is brilliant and so is the rest of the cast. I think that the casting of the smaller roles is more important than the stars because they can make a movie great even if the stars are useless, and the actors are all wonderful, I wasn't around in 19th C London of course but the movie looked just right as if you could even smell the place. So big thumbs up, only grumble is it is a bit long, I personally needed to go to the loo, but it was so exciting I had to stay in my seat, no mean feat considering the medication I take , hopefully that wasn't to much information for you. Good day to you all.   Aunt Bee.

Pjamas are not mall wear.

This is terrible, I've downloaded some photos, tried numerous times to find them, can't, tried to then tidy up my photo folders, I then found I've duplicated some stuff, totally lost other stuff and can't seem to fix it...........call Tom, no good at work...........call AJ no good at home and has given up on me. So no photos today, and I'm going to have a moan, right I'm mature over 50 year old, like a ripe cheese or a fine wine and whine I shall, went to the local mall with "the men " yesterday, fine had a great time, went early as Tom had work, and while waiting for  the" beastie brothers" to get food in the food court I saw a young woman I thinking 19 to 23, with a baby not a baby, baby, a 8 month old thereabouts waiting a the Indian food place in her pjama bottoms. Now this is the most bloody stupid dress trend I have seen, I know it's been done for awhile but it is so tacky to say the least,  there are implications if you wear your PJ's out of the house,1.your lazy,   2. your slovenly, they don't look good, they look like well worn jamas. 3. it's a question of knowing what is appropriate dress, this isn't hard, it's a learning at your mothers knee thing, 4.   you are sending a message to everyone who sees you and I don't think we are all getting the same message.   So that's my rant, I asked AJ what he thought of girls who wear their PJ's out and he said something very rude, I myself years ago when we had only one car and Basil was on early shift would at 4 or 5 in the morning drop him at work in my nightie and dressing gown, hoping and praying nobody saw me and taking money for petrol if I should be so unlucky to run out, when out.  We lived in a rural area then and taking him to work wasn't such a long drive but each time I had to do it, it was not a look at me thing it was a please don't look at me, and pray to God I get home un-noticed thing. Well I feel better, it is nice to get that off my chest, I shall now go and trace (God help me) a pattern from a Burda book I got from the library, the librarian said "Yoy do know you can only have magazines for 2 weeks now don't you." Yeah right trying to decipher these patterns is like deciphering a WW1 code, it will take more than 2 weeks to get it done. Then Basil is muttering about the movies as we have free tickets, so we want to see "Sherlock Holmes" which I'm really excited about seeing, not to see Jude Law, what do people(women) see in him, he's so pasty looking and weak, give be Robert Downey Jr anyday. So I'm off, have a nice day and enjoy the holiday. Aunty Bee

AJ relaxing after eating Christmas dinner (we always have it at night), this year it was so warm we had it on the deck, see AJ is seating in the chair he made for DST, which only the men of the house can sit in as it is made for tall people, a minor design flaw. And to think we haven't had desserts yet.Tom relaxes on the deck and Basil goes and fetches the desserts.  AJ and Tom worked right up to the 25th and both worked Boxing Day, AJ having to get out of bed at 5am to be at work at 6am. He said don't you think it's ironic that we boys are working and you are on holiday, meaning Basil and I, this is a first in our family. I replied that it wasn't ironic it was funny, I'm sure you might have heard our laughter from your place. Basil reminded them he starts back to work on Monday,  and I fell about the floor laughing,  as I will be on my own, what a wonderful christmas present, they all think I'm cruel and the words" terrible mother" were used.I shall get over it quickly and if the weather isn't to hot I shall have a walk on the beach and come home to sew. BLISS. The decorations will stay another couple of days and then they will come down, not a job I enjoy, as usual when I put the ones I had up away, I'm sure to find others I didn't find which I should have and which I will probably not find again next year, so they stay hidden for most of their lifetime, that reminds me must be more organised in 2010. Which to be honest is a perennial New Year's wish for the last 40 years at least. Love to all Aunt Bee.

Merry Christmas to all.

The pretzel things, salty and chocolately, very yum.The truffles, why do truffles never look as nice as they really are.

The lovely cake, the next shot will show you that Duff Goldman has nothing to fear from AJ and I. My sister the Contessa said "Who ? Duff beer." "NO I said Duff from Ace of Cakes."Aj and I had a play but it's harder than it looks or harder than the guys at Ace of Cakes make it look.

I thought I better explain the last post, no I'm not overly fond of drinking as that photo might have you believe, and although I said we finish our working year playing a game, eating chocolates and drinking, the drinking is of the fizzy, no not wine but the pop kind. I should also say that the night out at The Chateau was great up until the waitress told us at 10pm. we couldn't order any more too drink because they were being responsible hosts and we were getting noisy. Well, we were in a private room, no one was drunk and we are always noisy, we protested that we were always loud and we were being quiet compared to our work lunch times, (we for the last 12 years we have played Trivial Pursuit in all it's editions and any other word game that ten people can play, every lunch time except for Mondays when Mare, Shiraz and I do crosswords.) Can you imagine how loud we are, as we play boys vs girls, I want to say here and now the boys say they won this year but we know they put more marks up on the board than they won, I know we are so bloody competetive. But we had to leave and go to the bar where they were happy to serve us, yes well if you want to clean up the room you only have to say. I feel better I have that off my chest. Just a few photos, of my delicious truffles and a new thing that is a pretzel, with a rolo on top (heated 4 minutes in oven) and a M&M or pecan on top. I have to go , to take the beef and chicken out of the fridge to defrost, everything is done, or can only be done  tomorrow. I wish everyone a lovely Christmas, it's just us 4 for Christmas and it's always a good day although Basil usually likes to get us on a route march in the afternoon in preparation for the Christmas dinner, as it meant to be 25c tomorrow I know 3 people who will be avoiding it at all costs. Best Wishes from Aunt Bee, Basil, Tom and AJ, not forgetting Dave.

I have been busy, well that's my excuse.

Me and Basil enjoying my work dinner, he's not drinking so I can , what a man. But to be honest there's a story here which I will tell tomorrow.

I have been remiss in the exteme, not bloggin for awhile, but I have been busy. At my work we feel we must  celebrate Christmas at least 3 times, a big lunch out, at the local working man's club, very nice, a dinner last friday night at The Chateau, and then breakkie this morning, followed by a clean-up and our tradition of a friendly game girls vs boys of Trivial Pursuit or something similar, while eating chocolates and having a drink. It's then officially all over for the year and holidays begin for nearly 3 weeks. Yeah run around room naked yelling and shouting yeah...............well not really but that's what I'm doing inside, will do a better blog entry tomorrow as I have found an interesting shop. Love Aunt Bee.

I like to bake on a Sunday

Made some cookies, note, not biscuits as the recipe is American,  I have to hide the chocolate chips so I hide them in plain sight and so far they haven't been found in the hot chocolate tin with the delicious name Heaven. The cookies are from the recipezaar.com site recipe #358411 and it is the best recipe for CC cookies.These are yummy you can play around with the chocolate chips, dark, milk or white or a combination.Homemade garlic mayo, haven't got a recipe I just throw it together and it comes out great and it is very garlicky.Free range eggs we get from a colleague of Basil's 18 for $6.50, their is no doubt in my mind that there is a huge difference between free range and battery hen eggs and these eggs are delicious. I like to bake on a Sunday it is very relaxing before the working week begins. AJ it would appear has a job, it will be confirmed tomorrow, he would work almost full-time for the holidays, thats till the 2nd Febuary, and then work part-time around his school hours. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed and if it helps my eyes. Aunt Bee.

When 4 cans of beetroot are 4 to many.

Baz is very good when it comes to housework and other chores around the house and I really appreciate his work but when it comes to food shopping although I trust him with the staples, toilet paper, soap etc when it comes to food he's a bit useless. Last week he bought some supplies as he calls them (army training) and said "I got loo paper, and cat's food and a real bargain". "What was that dear", I said." 5 cans for $6.00". "Oh",said I,"What would they be, fruit or beans"."No beetroot". " Beetroot you got 5 cans of beetroot for $6.00 how can that be a bargain your the only one who eats it and that's at least a years supply". I was amazed, I really hate beetroot and  he was hurt I didn't admire his shopping skills, but to be honest it will be up to me to include this tinned treat into his meals in the future because with all his abilities cooking isn't one of them.When we were first going out he invited me back to his place for a meal, and I kid you not, in huge quantities in front of me was, boiled white fish, boiled white potatoes, boiled cauliflower and white sauce the consistency of wallpaper paste. It was so horrible it is burned in my memory for these last 28 years. So under pressure, if he must in dire emergencies he will cook or to be fair he does takeaways. He is always appreciative of the meals I cook, and doesn't mind eating  the experiments which have been a constant part of my cooking over the years, it's because if I like the look of a recipe but find I don't have all the ingredients I throw in what I think will work, the up side is I have created some awesome meals, but the down side is I never can remember what I put in the dish in the first place. I also have had some brilliant and disastrous meals because I now find it very difficult to see close up wearing my glasses, so I take them off (and can't remember where I left them), I have made a Pav with salt, and shortcrust savoury pastry with cornstarch, but I have made an awesome Pav by bunging everything in together  and beating it to death and made genius fudge by omitting an ingredient altogether. Actually I always have had trouble with my eyesight, Baz loves to tell the story of my mistaking his socks for the cat and talking to them for 5 minutes before he told I was cooing to his work socks.( Wasn' wearing my glasses at the time, in my defence). A little cruel I feel.Thats it for now, Tom wants the computer, and because I will undoubtable need his help in the future with this blog I shall let him have it. Am doing a few secret sewing things at the moment, so off to watch The Last Samurai, for the 100th time (not really true but feels like it) and a little bit of crochet. Aunt Bee.

Bag finished, not a good picture I know but no-one (boys) wouldn't model it, funnily enough. I have wool for crocheting in it, tried to do a ripple scarf but although the first 2 rows were good, it went pear shaped on the next 2,  I didn't end up with enough stitches. So I'm contemplating doing a more basic stitch style scarf.After seeing so many UJ flag bags, cushions, I decide I can do that with the NZ flag, and here is my bag. It is the first and hopefully not the last, it took ages as there was no pattern of course, and it is a little on the big side because I had to put the stars on, note the stars should be more spaced out. I felt a little spaced out after finishing it, but it's good for work. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, the cat will always finds what ever your working on, to sleep . We are cat people, as my sister Tess is a dog person, their dog died  while they were on holiday in Oz, 2 weeks ago. He was a lovely dog and it was a shock, but as she told the house minders at least they didn't come home to be told one of our ancient parents, who live in her back garden, had died. She has a good sense of humour, but I know they  will miss Toby and I can't see Tess's husband dragging her around the park each morning for exercise.The Christmas tree is up and with help from the Beastie brothers, who had maintained they were to old to help with the tree this year. I just told them to do it or live with my anger, threats still work, but I don't know for how long. It has been a very warm day, well stinking hot actually and because I'm still on my get fit and lose some weight before I see the Dr. again before Christmas. I am doing another class that makes 3 aweek. It's ZUMBA yes! I am going to look 30 years younger, have abs, have a navel ring, wear skimpy clothes and (dance the night away in hot, noisy nightclubs), but all before I have to be in bed by 10 pm. Well, not really, it is really fun and the instructor is Cuban, and quite a few people from the  gym next door looked through the window to see all the beautiful people doing ZUMBA, boy, were they disappointed, mostly middle-aged people trying to follow Maria and still breathe. Goodbye for now I need to rest for the oldies class on Friday. Aunt Bee.

Can a Christmas Cake have to much brandy?

This is a sad photo this is all the CK I own and one ring in which I bought at the supermarket because I thought it would go with my CK. Now this the story, CK has as far as I know no shop here and I found these mugs in a home shop in the mall, they cost me $9.95 each on sale, which I think works out to over 3 English pounds each, I'm not sure what they cost in England, but as you can see I bought 4 and 2 for my friend Chris. I love them but no-one shares my passion, so these are for those that like CK or pretty repro vintage things and for me to look at and drink my morning tea in everyday before going to work. Photo is terrible I know, will have to dobetter next time.

Yes can a Christmas Cake have to much brandy? a question much on my mind.Yesterday got AJ to feed  the cake, and I wondered as I said can you smell that AJ it is definitely smelling yummy, yummy or just boozy, should I not feed it next week or should I, should I take it to a AA meeting because it is looking a bit soozled. Answers to this question,  would be appreciated.  There was a craft/vintage market today where I not sure, possibly where it was last time but I didn''t go,  Basil and I went for a walk after watching the All Blacks beat the French. I thought about taking photos as it was a 6km walk but walking down the Main North Rd to the over-bridge isn't that interesting, so when walking  down the other way might take some photos of paddocks and horses and sheep and a lot of traffic as though  its through the green belt it is a very busy road. Bye for now Auny Bee.

Found this wonderful Lorna Hill book last week, I love her books along with Noel Streatfield, they are among my favourites. When I  was young, in the day as the Beastie Brothers would say I went to Mrs Thompson for Elocution lessons which I hated, for the reason I was so shy and nervous, hard to believe, but Mrs Thompson was a wonderful woman with a house full of books which she would lend to me, for that I,ll be always grateful. Actually I'm very comfortable with public speaking which is why I always had to do the talking and explaining to government people and overseas visitors when I worked at a large institution many years ago, also why people ask me to do eulogies or say something at funerals. In fact did a eulogy for a wonderful friend and I man came up to me and said I don't know you (true) but when I die I want you to do my eulogy, yes well I could see some obvious problems with that, so I smiled and ran for a cuppa tea. Even I after reading wot I have wrote I can see that I do waffle even when typing, note to self, mind the amount of waffle. The lovely and clever Robin which I remember from childhood, I love the illustrations as much as the stories. It is a beautiful evening only AJ and I are home, I have been to the weekly torture session a Basix Step class at QE11,( a sports complex), please note I don't spell Basix  this way it is a sign of the times that even the most basic words are spelt wrong. ( I little joke there if you haven't noticed). The birds are singing, the wind is blowing gently through the trees and my veges are calling water, water, so cheerio for now Aunt Bee.

Christmas Cake made.

In here we have 1kg of mixed fruit bought from supermarket in a bag. Almonds and walnuts chopped =100gms, and 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple, plus one large splosh of brandy and I mean large. Placed in fridge overnight.Pan prepared to go, usual way, springpan tin.Creamed the sugar 125gms of white and  125gms of brown with 225gms of butter, yes it was at room temperture, beat  in 4 eggs, mine were free range (Hugh is right), Then the flours, 225gms plain and strangely 50gms of self-raising, then fruit, well liquid fruit.Looking good, time for the secret ingredient.Blackcurrent jam, tbsp 1, only I might have put more in, but that's me.You can see the blackcurrent jam in there, it's looking good, sounds like I know what I'm doing but have never made this recipe before, usually make Doris Goody's recipe given to me by Judy, a friend from when we both lived a Prison Village along time ago.Yes it's looking good .In at 2pm out at 5.30pm.You beautiful cake and you smell delicious do you want another drink of brandy, yes? Well o.k. just a little. Please note I am becoming my mother who didn't drink but made the most yummy, boozy, cakes and puds.Bugger, dishes never my favourite thing to do, ask my sister Tess, and of course  the dishwasher is ill again, no not Bas, the real dishwasher, the machine. Probably will not be doing quite as many posts, my wonderful holiday is over and back to work tomorrow. Aunt Bee

The last flowers of Spring

Just a few photos from the garden, the last Rhodos, which have been late this year but that meant they looked beautiful just a bit longer.I see you have spotted the 2 soldiers from China in the garden, well it's not all about me, hard to believe but they are Basil's pride and joy and believe me if he ever found more and he does look, we would have an army. He spotted a giant one down in Orderings which thankfully is out of his price range but god forbid we ever win lotto because he would be straight down to buy it. Have planted tomatoes and parsley, going to get some more tomatoes, onions and peppers, it is lovely and warm.

A webcam photo and baskets

A photo of me by me last night with the new webcam Tom bought, took lots of photos because I was laughing so much, I might of mentioned my R and L confusion, and then make it a mirror image and I totally gone. I  enjoyed myself so much I think I've found a small amusement to entertain myself with if I'm bored. Now ain't that a scary thought.Two old cane baskets now Sky Blue, thank you AJ who painted them outside and left them to dry in the rain, I know, I know but he is mine and I love him. Went to Bunnings to buy the paint, it was spray paint so it was in a locked glass cabinet, the guy said "what do you want to paint"? I said just going to tag something not sure what, thank god they had a sense of humour or I'd been arrested. Made a pretty fabric insert for the bootom and there done.This basket sits near the phone at the corner of the kitchen, and in it I put keys, camera, recipes I've found on the net and intend to use (yeah right), important notices, well anything I want to keep, or need or want to keep safe from the rest of the family, they know not to touch this basket.This delightfully pink plastic box also bought at Bunnings, it goes so well with the notice board I think, it is another desperate attempt to keep my sewing stuff under control. I have no sewing room so my stuff is in baskets, boxes, the window seat, in 2 wooden chests in the lounge and dining area, in large plastic boxes in the room at the back of the garage and lastly in an old china cabinet sits much of my fabric.  So like arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic I move and reorganise my sewing stuff constantly trying to steal space and hoping one day in will all be together in one room. Basil said I could have a room when the one of the boys leave, I am ashamed to say I did think oh great I hope Aj goes first he does have the bigger room.Thats it for now AJ has gone to school for his first exam, English, I hope he does well, everyone else is in bed. Time for nice cup of tea and toast. Aunt Bee

The weather is terrible.

Although I have named this Post the weather is terrible I will say no more about it as it is upsetting. A woman in Bunnings said that as we have had spring and a short bit of warm weather then it is obvious we have gone straight to Autumn, she said it was her fault as she had put summer sheets on her beds, so it nice to have someone else share the blame. The crochet squares on the lounge floor, not the best place for a photo, I committed the knitters/crocheters cardinal sin didn't buy enough wool and now there is none left and I traipsed all over town looking for bright, bright,colours and found none. I have made more than these here , and I had a brain wave as what to do with them , watch this space. Birdys and christmas decorations made up during the year out of old bits of felt, sequins and buttons. Last photo is AJ on stage after receiving two awards at prize giving, he actually received 2 awards but didn't mention it till this morning. He did his entrance for the" Terries", got told he wouldn't get called up to July 2010, but they rang him yesterday to say he could go in Jan/Feb, this would mean losing 7/8 weeks of the Term 1 next year, so he's decided not to go in then as he doesn't want to miss anything of his Year 13 as it will be to hard to catchup, in fact he would miss most of Term 1, that's if the Rector  had allowed him the time off anyway. I have got him spray painting cane baskets at the moment, trying to distract from his first exam tomorrow, o.k. I'm using him as my slave but what he doesn't know wont hurt him. Aunt Bee

The Topp Twins and the beach walk.

Up close and personal with Camp Mother and Camp Leader at the Show, Camp Mother went off the stage to look for victims, goodlooking young men and unsuspecting foreigners. They said when they go overseas that they tell everyone that everyone in NZ is just like them. Nervous titters from crowd on hearing that statement.Down on the beach this morning, told AJ we would go for a run as we need the exercise, he has a entrance test for" the terries:, on Monday morning which includes a 2.4km run. I of course didn't need to run a good brisk walk is just as good or so my sister Tess says. View of return walk, light colured speck in middle of the picture is the Waimari Beach Club,  where we parked the car. You would think AJ would be pleased his mother got him up at 8.30am for exercise in the fresh air, but when I said, " we'll do this every morning I'm off this week," he said" love to Mum but I think every other day is fine."

A quick note to say why I didn't comment on last weeks Stash/Rehash, can't even tell you what it was like second hand. Got up and went to Edgeware Rd, thought there's no car parks, oh there's heaps of people here, oops. Found a park went to the hall and there was a long line of women from the door of the hall down the side, around the front, down the other side and on to the pavement. What to do, get in line, no I had no sunscreen and no hat so I decided I couldn't stand there for what would be at least 20 minutes, so I left thinking maybe God was telling I didn't need anymore stuff........abit of a joke between God and I, so can't tell you anything......but I'm hearten to see so many people there ( women ), as that's got to be a good sign for the continuation of  sewing, knitting and assorted crafts. On a different note I have taken up the hook so to speak the crochet hook, making squares with very bright wool, just a experiment as I haven't done any crochet for at least 25 years or more. I don't know if anything will come of it or if it's worthy of a photo we shall see. As I,m having a weeks holiday starting today, as tomorrow is a holiday in Canterbury, it's our anniversary day also known as Show Day, I went to the show, think Agricultural Show, animals, machinery, cars, tractors.......sheep shearing, dog trials, fun fair, farm animal competition you know whose prettiest, etc.Always a good day but I've a little sunburn and  so tired so early night is called for. Photo of cute minature Highland cattle, boy or girl possibly either didn't want to lift up anything for a closer look.   Aunt Bee

Bought this tray off Trademe, I loved it and even better Basil loved it too,  Basil is not his real name, but it will do, he is quite good about my mad collectingI found this while in CS, it caught my eye it was not clean, looked like it had afternoon tea still on it but it cleaned up beautifully, it is lovely.Lovely cut work tablecloth.This lovely doily, not sure if it will stay in this form, we'll have to see.